Poisonous Pythons Paralyze Pennsylvania

American Chillers #11

by Johnathan Rand

Ryan, Stephen and Heather spend a lot of time in the swamp searching for snakes. This time, though, they find something they couldn't believe possible... Poisonous Pythons!

Genres: Horror, Childrens, Middle Grade

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Christopher Wright is the author of dozens of horror fiction books for children and young adults. He writes under the pseudonyms Johnathan Rand and Christopher Knight. Almost all of Wright's books (save American Chillers) take place in his home state of Michigan.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike most of Johnathan Rand's American and Michigan Chillers, Poisonous Pythons of Pennsylvania doesn't say the age of the three main characters. It's safe to assume, though, that Ryan Brindley, Stephen Kottler, and Heather Lewis are probably eleven or twelve, like other protagonists in the series. Maple Glen, Pennsylvania is a city closer geographically to Philadelphia than to the state's backwoods Northeastern region, but there's an expansive swamp not far from Ryan's house. He and Stephen love searching it for garter snakes, but today the two boys are in for a shock: they briefly cross paths with a snake longer than an automobile, much bigger than anything native to Pennsylvania. The next day, Ryan and Stephen find a massive snakeskin; whatever kind of snake this is, they agree they need to notify an adult. Most snakes are harmless, but a monster like this could be a threat.

Mr. Larson, who owns the local pet shop, takes Ryan and Stephen seriously when they report the snake, but he turns doubtful when the boys are unable to find the snakeskin where they claim to have left it. They don't know how to convince Mr. Larson they're telling the truth...until their friend Heather lets them know she saw the shop owner sneaking out of the swamp shortly before he joined Ryan and Stephen on their search. Did Mr. Larson steal the snakeskin? Something suspicious is going on, and Ryan, Stephen, and Heather won't quit until they learn the full story.

These three kids have gotten involved in something big: an organization of scientists working to combat the lethal effects of venomous snakes; a newly discovered species imported for study, a snake whose bite can kill a man in mere moments; and a secret laboratory designed for advanced experimentation in herpetology that could revolutionize the relationship between humans and reptiles. But when a breach in safety protocol turns Ryan and Stephen's swamp into a haven for deadly snakes, they'll have to help save Maple Glen. Can the emergency be dealt with before Pennsylvania is overrun by a plague of pythons?

The American Chillers series has a rough, unrefined writing style, but its best books are entertaining enough that the lack of polish matters little. Such is the case for Poisonous Pythons Paralyze Pennsylvania, the best entry in the series since at least Terrible Tractors of Texas. You'll need to grant the story the benefit of the doubt in a few places, but it's a decent read with a mild surprise or two. I'm never awed by Johnathan Rand's writing, but American Chillers are fun. Up next in the series? Dangerous Dolls of Delaware, book twelve. I'll be there.

[Max Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are drugs based on snake venom.

That being said, drugs are my life. In fact, one day at work, I went to the bathroom and whipped out my fresh new copy of Poisonous Pythons Paralyze Pennsylvania and began reading.

Or at least tried to.

You see, I was on drugs all the time at work. So I would forget everything immediately. So I fell asleep on the toilet and my boss found me passed out, with the book opened and spread across my junk, so he couldn't see it.

[Hunter W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a very good book because it has a lot of cliffhangers. The plot is good and it has a lot of twists and turns that makes you want to read more.

[Julius Sausedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book I am reading is American chiller the book was kind of good the book did not make any sense.

[Kenneth BLANCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNAKY SNAKY!!!! awsome=this book lololololololololool

[Lincoln Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

they forgot to mention me i am the ripped guy

[Wolverinefactor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having lived in PA for 10 years I was excited for this one. This one is so bland and generic. The ending that leads to the next book is exactly the same as one a few books ago

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the best I recommend it. It had good suspense and a ton of surprising turns.

[Spencer Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

i remember this underrated book series from when I was like 12. I gotta give this a reread.

[Owen Hilbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I just read Poisonous pythons paralyze Pennsylvania by Johnathan Rand. I liked this a lot because it takes place in my home state, I also really like the characters and I think what happened to the characters is a original idea. The main setting of the book is Maple Glen Pennsylvania inside a swamp most of the time. The main characters are Ryan, Stephen, Heather, Mr. Larson, and Mr. Plumbody. The main conflict of the story is when Ryan and Stephen find a big snake and then they meet Mr. Plumbody and find out that a lot more of snakes got out they have to track down all of the other snakes. I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes this author because it is like a lot of of his books yet it is still different then them all.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by Johnathon Rand. I rated it this book 4 stars because I liked it but there were some uninteresting parts. I would recommend this book to a friend but you shouldn't read this more than once.This book had parts that seemed somewhat disconnected. The author provided a lot of detail to give the reader a sense of being involved in the plot and setting. The characters were interesting to learn about but my favorite character was Stephen because he was adventurous and for the most part reminded me of myself. The character Iliked the least was Mr.Mayweather because he was underhanded and sneaky. He presented a lot of problems to the kids. On the other hand I liked this book because of the story line.

[Dj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snake just broke out of the laboratory, on the way home, they hear someone calling for help in the swamp. While they go in to help a lost boy but then they get lost themselves. They waited for help in the swamp and it went from evening to night. Ryan is still hoping but with every minute waited, his little slit of hope is being demolished. They captured the pythons and returned home safely.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An 8 year old friend of mine let me borrow this book because he knows I like snakes. If a kid likes snakes, they will probably enjoy this book. Those who don't like snakes may find it rather creepy. This American Chiller is part mystery that will probably only "scare" those who don't like snakes. I enjoyed it, and I'm an adult.

[Mitch Nurenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Poisonous Pythons Paralyze Pennsylvania" by Johnathan Rand. This book is about pythons that get out of their cases where they were suppose to be kept. Heather and Stephen are the ones who figure out about and want to stop then before it gets dangerous. I recommend this book to kids who want to read about pythons on the loose.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite American Chillers. A boy and his friends visit a lab when they find out that a deadly python has escaped! As they go home they hear a cry from little boy in the swamp and go to see whats wrong. This book will have chills going down your back the entire time and ends great. I think people who love a good thrill would enjoy this book.

[Pedro Saldivar]

This book is about some kids named Ryan, Stephen, and Heather that like to search for snakes in the swamp and some very dangerous poisonous snakes are lose in the swamp. I didn't like this book because it was about snakes and I don't like snakes. I would recommend this book to readers that like easy reads.

[J.Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a shipment of a rare speices of snake is about to arrive at a reserch lab in the usa but the containment truck crashes in pennsylvaina a girl in a small town finds a snake in her house and investgates.

[Alec Thelen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a good book. Lots of action and surprises. Written by Johnathan Rand and takes place in Pennsylvania. A lot of poisonous snakes escape and must be stopped. Find out and read to see if they will be stopped!

[Tyler Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. It all happens when three friends find a giant snake skin in the woods and when they try to show someone it is gone. they later figure out that something bad has happened and that they are in the middle of it.

[Rachel P · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this was wierd

[Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love this book!

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I couldn't put it down when i was reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes or enjoys action and surprises. It was great.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

that was a awesome book in one part when Mr. Larson has a lab and his lab has a lot of kind of snakes and he knows all abouth the poisonous pythons

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not rate this a five because it was real scary and it was the first time I read it. Johnathan Rand books are always scary when I first read the books. I think I would read it again sometime.

[Jaden Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't believe how good this book was.

[Dakota Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super good it was great. Makes me wonder what I would be like if snakes were to come to Minnesota but I don't think they could survive the cold here at all

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book❤️

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK book because it doesn't really have much suspense and areas of the book but yet I would still recommend this book to younger audiences

[Netta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool! It was like watching the nature channel about snakes. Nice!

[Fluffyrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty good book but i wasnt convinced that the cover went with the book.